Kate Winslet to star in HBO miniseries

'Mildred' is based on James M. Cain novel

Pay cabler is going forward with a five-hour miniseries starring Kate Winslet as a proud, single mother struggling to earn her daughter’s love during the Depression in middle-class Los Angeles. Story is based on the novel by James M. Cain.

Mini has been speculated for months, but the deal just become official.

Joan Crawford won an Oscar for the lead role in the 1945 Michael Curtiz-directed film adaptation of the novel. “Mildred Pierce” earned a total of six noms, including a pair of supporting actress nods for Eve Arden and Ann Blyth.

Todd Haynes, who helmed “Far From Heaven,” will write the script along with Jon Raymond. Haynes will also direct and act as exec producer, along with Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon and John Wells. Ilene Landress (“The Sopranos”) is producer and pic is in association with MGM. Shooting will begin in April in New York. No other casting is set.

Winslet is coming off a lead actress Oscar for her role in “The Reader.” It was her first win after being nominated five times.

Actress last appeared on HBO in the pilot of Ricky Gervais starrer “Extras,” playing a nun pining for an Oscar nom. Gervais teased her about the role during the 2009 Golden Globes.

HBO remains one of a few nets committed to the miniseries business. Cabler is set to launch 10-episode World War II epic “The Pacific” March 14.